Tito Sotto reveals TVJ’s announcement to disengage from TAPE was unplanned: ‘Di na namin natolerate’
Tito Sotto. Image: screengrab from YouTube/One PH
Tito Sotto disclosed that the “Eat Bulaga” hosts only came up with the decision to “disengage” from TAPE Inc. moments prior to their announcement, after the production company forbade them from airing live episodes.
Tito detailed how he, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon (TVJ) along with their co-hosts arrived at the decision to leave the production company, in an interview with broadcasters Julius Babao and Christine Bersola on Thursday, June 1.
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“Naging bigla ang lahat, nabigla din kami kahapon (May 31) sapagkat ang plano lang namin kaya kami nagsipasok ay una para pumasok, pangalawa ay gusto namin mag-usap [kung saan] pagdedesisyunan namin ang mga final issues na dapat pag-usapan pa,” Tito stated.
“Pero nagulat kami na hindi raw magla-live, ayaw magpa-live. Sabi raw ni chairman, e ang chairman nila si Romy Jalosjos,” he said. “Biglang naisip namin sa siguro ito na ‘yung bendisyon ng Panginoon na magdesisyon na tayo.”
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The former Senate president pointed out that TVJ did not resign but “disengaged” from TAPE, as they do not have a contract with them to begin with.
“Medyo nangapa kami nang konti sa gusto naming sabihin pero nai-deliver namin ‘yung message which is we are disengaging from TAPE Inc. The rest, tingnan natin kung anong mangyayari after, pero hindi na namin na-tolerate ‘yung mga gustong gawin, yung mag dahilan kung bakit kami napilitan magdesisyon, mag-usap.
Tito noted that TAPE even called for a meeting with the hosts prior, but the management might have been given “wrong information” which prompted them to forbid the hosts from airing live.
“Akala siguro nila gagamitin [namin] ‘yung programa e never namin ginawa ‘yon. Talagang hindi kami kilala nitong new management,” he stated.
“Siguro ang bintang ay gagamitin namin ang programa at doon kami magre-resign, e nagdedesiyon pa lang kami e. Pinabilis nila ‘yung desisyon,” he added.
Tito further said that they are still awaiting the decision from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines regarding the “Eat Bulaga” copyright. While this has yet to be resolved, Tito said that they might use a different title for the show they will be hosting.
In talks with other networks
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Tito admitted that they had already received several offers from other networks such as Net25, TV5, Cignal TV and channel 9, but said a deal has yet to be made.
“Nag-uusap pa kami [ng Net25]. After yesterday—sabi ko nga umuusok ‘yung telepono namin e—kausap din namin ang Cignal, One PH at TV5. Tsaka nakakatuwa, ‘yung isang board member ng channel 9 tumawag sa akin, tinatanong kung iko-consider namin na i-consider ulit sila,” he disclosed.
When asked if TVJ had a conversation with GMA Network over the hosts’ departure from TAPE, Tito answered, “Wala. Not a hint.” He then clarified that they had no ill feelings toward the network and said, “Kilala naman namin ang isa’t isa.”
Tito also revealed their plans to return on-air before the anniversary of “Eat Bulaga” on July 30, but the former Senate president opted not to give further details on their network transfer.
“Baka may magtampo,” he quipped.
At the latter part of his interview, Tito declared that they felt free after parting ways with TAPE and said, “All the while, merong sword of Damocles na sila raw ang ganito, sila raw ang may-ari. Ngayon wala na.” /ra
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